Overview:

This Rafiq of the Many deck focuses on Exalted synergies and voltron strategies, leveraging Rafiq's double strike ability to amplify single-creature attacks. The deck employs a mix of Exalted triggers, +1/+1 counter synergies, and combat tricks to create explosive alpha strikes. While Rafiq serves as the primary damage engine, the deck includes backup beaters like Jenara, Asura of War and Terra Stomper, supported by anthems like Collective Blessing. Key enhancements like Sigil of Valor and Finest Hour enable massive damage spikes, while limited interaction and slow ramp keep the deck in casual territory.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy Exalted enablers (Akrasan Squire, Noble Hierarch) and ramp (Cultivate, Steward of Valeron). Protect key pieces with Mother of Runes.
2. Commander Deployment (Turn 4+): Cast Rafiq with protection up (Hindering Light, Righteousness). Use Elvish Piper to cheat in heavy hitters if mana is constrained.
3. Combat Dominance (Turns 5-8):
   • Equip Sigil of Valor or enchant with Idolized for exponential damage scaling
   • Activate Finest Hour for multiple combat phases with untapped attackers
   • Deploy finishers like Giant Adephage or Craterhoof Behemoth (hidden in Mosswort Bridge)
4. Recovery/Alternate Lines: Use Elspeth, Sun's Champion for token generation or Sylvan Primordial for board control.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including green/white sources
• Prioritize early Exalted creatures or ramp (Noble Hierarch > Cultivate)
• Ensure at least one protection spell or evasive creature (Winged Coatl)
• Reject hands lacking early plays or with multiple high-CMC cards

Key Tips:

• Stack Exalted triggers before casting combat tricks - a Might of Oaks on a Rafiq-enhanced attacker delivers 22 commander damage
• Use Mosswort Bridge to hide game-ending threats like Predatory Rampage
• Giltspire Avenger doubles as removal when blocking with lifelink from Splendor Mare
• Stoic Angel locks down opponents' boards while your Exalted creatures attack unimpeded

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme vulnerability to targeted removal on Rafiq (no hexproof/shroud equipment)
• Limited board wipe recovery outside Faithbound Judge recursion

Moderate

• Struggles against flying/swarm strategies (only 3 reach creatures)
• Weak to enchantment hate disrupting key auras/anthems

Minor

• Inconsistent mana fixing (9 enters-tapped lands)
• Overreliance on combat damage with no alternative wincons

Most Important Cards:

• Finest Hour (Triple combat phase enabler)
• Sigil of Valor (Exponential damage scaling)
• Mother of Runes (Protection for Rafiq/key creatures)
• Collective Blessing (Massive anthem effect)
• Elvish Piper (Cheat out high-CMC threats)
• Sylvan Primordial (Board control + ramp)
• Noble Hierarch (Exalted + mana acceleration)
• Idolized (Scaling combat buff)
• Hindering Light (Protection + card draw)
• Mosswort Bridge (Hidden threat storage)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten lethal commander damage by T6-7 with ideal draws, but lacks fast mana or turbo tutors.

Resilience: 4/10

• Limited protection suite and heavy commander dependency make it fragile to removal.

Consistency: 5/10

• Moderate card draw (Urban Evolution) but few tutors for key pieces like Finest Hour.

Interaction: 3/10

• Spot removal exists (Path, Disenchant) but minimal stack interaction or board wipes.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a tuned casual build with focused combat synergies but lacks the speed, protection, and redundancy needed for higher power levels. Its T6-8 win potential through enhanced combat and moderate resilience against single-target removal align it with upgraded precons.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5